Catholic Church Steps Up Fight Against Gay Marriage

Maine’s Catholic leaders are stepping up their efforts to defeat a gay marriage law in November.The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is asking its parishes to take a special second collection next weekend to help pay for a campaign to use a statewide referendum to reverse a gay marriage law passed by the stateLegislature.The money will go to Stand for Marriage Maine, which is leading the effort to repeal the law allowing same-sex marriage.Stand for Marriage also is planning a rally next Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center